Of Blondes and raised collars: Scolari must get down to business

Within a space of five days, we have learnt that that Brazil is no-where ready to host the world as a football team next year.

 Scolari yet to win a game after three matches since his Brazil return

The Selecao, featuring all their key players against both Italy and Russia have struggled to impress in both games, two top friendlies meant to test their credentials for the FIFA 2014 World Cup. 

Felipe Scolari’s men were a decent side in Geneva but surrendered a two-goal lead against a strong Italian side that actually deserved to win last weekend.

But at Stamford Bridge last night, Brazil look more like celebrity reality show housemates on a night out, enjoying the chilly serenity of Stamford Bridge after some two-week seclusion at their camp. It must have been agonising for their fans who are hoping for some spectacle in London.

But Russia, led by former England manager, Fabio Capello showed they were a b better team and thanks to a late goal orchestrated by Real Madrid left back, Marcelo, Brazil would have suffered their second defeat in England after their 2-1 loss to the Three Lions in February.

Lethargic

Scolari trusted Kaka as the linchpin in the creative role, preferring Oscar out wide, but it turned out a futile adventure albeit created Brazil’s two best chances with delicious crosses- one in each half. Kaka struggled to get in the games and couldn’t work in tandem with the talented Neymar.  Scolari was trying to exploit the intelligence of the trio of Kaka, Neymar and Oscar, playing the last two as veiled wingers, it never worked.

Kaka may have lost some confidence having played peripheral roles in the star-studded Madrid side but it is clear why Jose Mourinho prefers the younger and crafty Mesut Ozil, who has been the top creative outlet for the Spanish side under the Portuguese manager. Kaka’s class and brain remains, but looks as though his vivaciousness and speed has disserted him.

One thing we learnt under Menezes was the chemistry between Neymar and Oscar, a partnership which was blossoming really well. Scolari will be taking Brazil backward if he fails to build his team around them. His thinking could be understood: he probably feels Oscar is too young to be the creative leader of his team yet he wants to play the Chelsea man. He recalled Ronaldinho and Kaka to exploit their experience, but the two former world best players have not shown they are still the real deal to do the job.

Lost

Neymar has a huge responsibility on his shoulders and it is looking too big for him to handle so far. He had an influential game against Italy, but couldn’t impress against the organised Russians.

Dare I say we saw more of Neymar’s fanciful ever hair than his feet; perhaps the Santos man was the winner in the blonde razzmatazz with Dani Alves, who has become a shadow of himself.  Crucially for Brazil, their two central midfielders (perhaps pivot players if you like) Fernando and Hernanes-the Lazio man with flying collar, lack composure and authority to drive this team in the middle and it is looking certain that Ramires, who was injured, will walk straight back into the squad. I’ll like to see Bayern Munich’s Luiz Gustavo again in the side. He looks more equipped to do the job.

As a member of an indifferent audience, I saw the Selecao players  look even more disorientated than the Mano Menezes’ Brazil and it appears they would need more than the next Mundial to become a team. Granted it was only Scolari’s third game in charge following his appointment in November, but he will now be under huge pressure in Brazil with winless streak (a defeat and two draws.

Long walk to glory, it seems, for Scolari. But he is experienced enough to know that, in Brazil, as far as football is concerned, the king must not dance naked. 

Last Eagles train for Martins

Great footballers never rely on their talent, they achieve their enviable status because they remain committed to their love for the game.

This love drives their passion and insatiable hunger for success. Indeed some of them are not the most endowed footballer in terms of talents, but their positive attitude towards success sailed them through challenges.

Former AC Milan and Chelsea manager, Carlo Ancelotti recalls of Italian legend, Pipo Inzaghi, in his autobigraphy, The Beautiful Games of an Ordinary Genius: “Pipo is something of an animal. If I think of the perfect striker, he’s certainly not the first one to come to mind. Still inside the penalty area, no player on earth can compete with him.” Despite his limitations, Ancelotti regarded Inzaghi as the striker who made him great, having coached the player both at Juventus and AC Milan. Inzaghi played until his retirement last year at 37.

Obafemi Martins is expected to return to the Super Eagles against Kenya today in a 2014 World Cup qualifier in Calabar, this time not as a key figure, but as a man who has to prove his relevance. Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi revealed he dropped Osaze and Martins from the African Cup of Nations squad because he wanted players with the right attitude.

Quality

Make no mistake, Martins is not one of those average talents but it is sad how quickly things have gone quietly for a player once regarded as one of the most promising young strikers in Europe. Oba was rated only second to Wayne Rooney following his impressive run while at Inter Milan in the 2004/2005 season. That run included 11 goals in 16 Serie A starts and five goals in five UEFA Champions League starts, finishing the season with 22 goals in 45 games, in all competitions.

He had virtually everything naturally: Pace, aggression and power.  Martins’ shooting strength rubbished the orthodox weaker foot impression as the Nigeria international is supremely comfortable blasting the ball with both feet. His 5ft 7 height would not get a customary nod for a striker prolific in the air, yet he could easily be described as a small man with springs beneath his heels.

Not much excitement greeted his move to La Liga side, Levante because Martins had become a regular journeyman whose adventures are no longer about what he has to offer the game as a professional, but more about doing something for himself.  Yet he was decent with nine goals in 22 games before losing interest again and finding Yankee move more attractive. Martins tweeted after joining Seattle Sounders, his new club:  “I have just signed for Sounders FC, a big step in my career.”

Discipline

Martins has had disciplinary problems which have blighted his career. He angered Newcastle manager Alan Shearer after making a late phone call to claim a groin problem would not allow him play, just a few hours before an English Premier League in April 2009. The forward who had a loan spell at Birmingham, was also forced to train with Rubin Kazan reserves while playing for the Russian club and eventually had his contract terminated.

He had disciplinary hitches at the national team level too. Obagoal, as fondly called by fans, snubbed an international friendly in London in February 2007, only to reveal later that he had travelled to Lagos to visit his sick mother. Though he later apologised to coach Austin Eguavoen. He almost missed the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after the then Nigeria handler Lars Lagerback reportedly expressed concern over his attitude. Martins eventually made the trip after injury knocked out Victor Anichebe who impressed the Swedish coach instead.

His 18 goals in 37 international appearances is a decent record but he could easily have done better. Nigerians were sure he had the potential of becoming the country’s best striker in history. For many then, the man destined to dethrone Rashidi Yekini had arrived following his competitive debut with a brace against Rwanda in 2004.

 Martins has an impressive tally of 10 goals in nine World Cup qualifiers (both for 2006 and 2010 campaign) he had featured for Nigeria, none of which ended in defeat-seven wins. So he is back on familiar terrain.

Nomadic

He made a £10million move from Inter Milan to Newcastle United in August 2006, when the then Inter boss Roberto Mancini signed the duo of Hernan Crespo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. On a weekly wage of around £60,000, Martins rewarded the Magpies with 17 goals in his first season and managed 18 goals in his two subsequent seasons at the club. He left the Tyneside for Bundesliga side, Wolfsburg in a reported £9million deal following the English side’s relegation at the end of the 2008/2009 season. Martins spent only a season in Germany before moving Rubin Kazan for whom he made only 17 appearances.

Truly Martins has been held back by injuries on occasions, but many would feel he has fallen short of expectations. Now that Keshi has handed him another chance to be part of the African champions’ quest for the next Mundial, the onus is on him to prove he is not a spent force.

 His move to Sounders in the Major League Soccer won’t however be the most convincing argument, neither would a great performance against Kenya suffice. He must do more on his attitude to keep his place in the team. Brazil 2014 is here, best of luck Martins.

Eden Hazard: Before Real Madrid Call

Cristiano Ronaldo’s refusal to commit his future to Real Madrid is bad news for Chelsea.

 Ronaldo was receiving the Alfredo Di Stefano award (for best La Liga player last season); arguably Madrid’s greatest player of all time, yet the Portugal captain could not be motivated into pledging his future to the Bernabeu outfit.

So what has that got to do with Chelsea? Well Gareth Bale has been touted to be the next Galatico to arrive Madrid, but 22 year-old Eden Hazard’s emerging brilliance and recent blistering form would have attracted the attention of the  powerful European outfit.

TALENT: Hazard is gradually living up to expectation at Chelsea 

Further doubts over Ronaldo's future-his contract ends in 2015-will only accelerate Real's search for his replacement and Hazard will certainly be a target.

Real Madrid legend and one of the club’s advisors, Zinedine Zidane has never hidden his admiration for Hazard, whom he described as a rarity in the modern game and the former French playmaker will certainly be monitoring his progress at Stamford Bridge where he has been the star performer in recent weeks.

"Eden is technically gifted and very fast. I would take him to Real Madrid with my eyes closed. He can become a great footballer. He is a star of the future", Zidane had been quoted.

Hazard featured alongside Aston Villa's Christian Benteke for the Belgium side that failed to make it beyond the first round of the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup won by Nigeria. Both players have forged a strong relationship and are key members of their country's senior national team.

Not much was read into Benteke's revelation last year that Hazard’s ultimate dream is to play for Real Madrid, but Chelsea’s next managerial decision could play a key role in the former Lille forward's career at Stamford Bridge.

His development and motivation must be enhanced with a more competitive team, and the Blues must be fighting for major honours next season.

Simply special

Often times football journalists love to romance the word ‘world class’ in describing talented players and many of them have fallen short of expectation. It’s a mantle worn by players of exceptional abilities who are carefully nurtured to attain greatness.

Chelsea’s next manager can build a successful team around the talented Hazard who is gradually taking more responsibilities, the kind that made him a cult hero at Lille where he won the Ligue 1 and Coupe De France double in the 2010/2011 season and became the French League’s best player two seasons on the trot.

His recent performances suggest a player who will thrive if not inhibited in his role on the pitch and suffer if regimented to the wings. He is an intelligent footballer whose prowess surpasses goalscoring flamboyance, a player who makes teammates profit from his grandeur.

The £32m signing has often been criticised for subdued performances in big games yet played key roles in big wins at London rivals, Arsenal and Tottenham. His second half performance which propelled the Blues to comeback draw at Old Trafford in the FA Cup appeared to have even stimulated his desire to lead the Blues to finishing on a high in a turbulent season for the team.

Strength

Hazard has adapted well to the physical aspect of the Premier League, acquitting himself quite well against Stoke (scored a goal of the season contender at the Britannia in Chelsea’s 4-1 win) and was also Man-of-Match on Sunday against West Ham, netting a brilliant second goal- two physical teams.

He has played nearly 60 games for club and country since he joined Chelsea last summer and has suffered over 100 fouls. Yet he has not missed a game through injury. Hazard's temperament is admirable bar his red card over the ball boy incident at Swansea in January.

It might sound too early, but Chelsea must make Hazard feel at home after snubbing Madrid and other European giants. You think Bale is the real deal? Eden is an orchestra  whose chimes captivate even the most uninterested audience. Over to you, Roman.